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Exclusive poster reveal, lead casting news: “MALEVOLENCE” creator’s ghost story “THE RUSE”

Monday, April 3, 2023 | Exclusives, News

By MICHAEL GINGOLD

The supernatural chiller is gearing up to begin production soon.

Stevan Mena, creator of the MALEVOLENCE trilogy, previously told us about his new feature THE RUSE here, and now he has shared the first poster (see it below) and word that he has cast his lead. Madelyn Dundon (pictured above) will play Dale in the film; the synopsis: “When an in-home caregiver assigned to an elderly patient mysteriously vanishes, Dale is quickly sent as a replacement nurse. Dale rushes to the remote seaside home, only to find herself in the middle of chaos. Forced to deal with an unruly patient, mysterious neighbors, and terrifying supernatural occurrences that seem to plague the home. Is the house haunted? Or is something even more malevolent to blame? As the walls close in, unsure who she can trust, Dale fears for her life and that of her patient. But can we trust Dale?”

“I discovered Madelyn while watching a film she starred in called GETTING GRACE,” Mena tells us. “I found that through [RUSE cinematographer] Cory Geryak, who was the DP on that film. It was shot a long time ago, when she was a teenager, but her performance had the spark I was looking for. It was so brave and unique; she really won me over. It helped that it was filmed in Allentown, PA, which up until now is where all of my movies have been made.”

Oscar-winning makeup artist John Caglione Jr. is Mena’s producing partner on THE RUSE and will be creating its prosthetic illusions; Veronica Cartwright (THE BIRDS, INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS, ALIEN) also stars. There’s currently an Indiegogo campaign for the movie running, with a wide variety of perks; check it out here.

Michael Gingold
Michael Gingold (RUE MORGUE's Head Writer) has been covering the world of horror cinema for over three decades, and in addition to his work for RUE MORGUE, he has been a longtime writer and editor for FANGORIA magazine and its website. He has also written for BIRTH.MOVIES.DEATH, SCREAM, IndieWire.com, TIME OUT, DELIRIUM, MOVIEMAKER and others. He is the author of the AD NAUSEAM books (1984 Publishing) and THE FRIGHTFEST GUIDE TO MONSTER MOVIES (FAB Press), and he has contributed documentaries, featurettes and liner notes to numerous Blu-rays, including the award-winning feature-length doc TWISTED TALE: THE UNMAKING OF "SPOOKIES" (Vinegar Syndrome).